Tag Archives: Prophet 6

We met Dave Smith. The famous synth pioneer is very agile and inventive, and he doesn’t seem to become older! He proudly presented the Prophet-6, OB-6 and Pro-2 – the current first class instruments of DSI. I had some questions regarding the family’s prehistoric ancestor Prophet-5, but Dave was not very much interested, which is, admittedly, quite understandable. True pioneers don’t live in the past. They look ahead!

While part 1 of my NAMM report focused primarily on Eurorack Modular and synthesizer accessories, I want to start part 2 with the proverbial elephant in the room (and literal behemoth amongst current fare), the Matrixbrute from Arturia. A (much) bigger brother to the Mini and Micro “brutes” the Matrixbrute features a fully analog (audio) signal path from its 3 oscillators, 2 filters (1 multi-mode Steiner Parker filter, 1 Transistor Ladder LPF) and ends with an analog effects section that boasts delay, chorus, flange and reverb. On paper, the Matrixbrute is an absolute dream …

A duophonic monster with an intimidating 64 LED backlit button array matrix that not only allows a user to route complex modulations but is also a full fledged step sequencer, preset access terminal and more. I personally love the “Brute” oscillators that Arturia produce and I’ve found that while somewhat limited, the Minibrute will hold its own next to much more expensive and sought after instruments.

Let’s round up our report on the Musikmesse Frankfurt (part 1 – modular systems and part 2 – synthesizers) by supplying you with further information in the synthesizer field and ending our report with some details about an exciting e-piano concept …

First across the Atlantic and to Dave Smith Instruments. The PROPHET-6 is a brand-new polyphonic analog synthesizer with real VCOs …